Coast Guard vessel hit with laser, endangering boat crew

LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard has issued a warning that pointing handheld lasers at Coast Guard vessels and aircrews is dangerous and illegal.

Earlier this month, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach operations center, received a report from the 45-foot motor lifeboat crew at Coast Guard Station Channel Islands that four of the members were struck twice with a laser while transiting near the Channel Islands Harbor entrance. Crewmembers reported that the laser came from shore and once they energized their blue law-enforcement light, the laser desisted. After a medical evaluation, there were no reported injuries associated with the incident.

Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime and a felony offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 39A. If found guilty, offenders could be fined up to $250,000 and sentenced to five years in prison.

Crewmembers affected by laser strikes can have temporary effects in vision, including: afterimage, flash blindness and temporary loss of night vision. In some cases, a laser strike can result in permanent damage to a person’s eye sight. If a crew member is lased it severely compromises his ability to effectively respond and safely operate the vessel or aircraft, ultimately endangering the safety and lives of crewmembers aboard and the general public.

Anyone witnessing this crime is strongly encouraged to report it to local law enforcement.